Chapter 14, Problem 2A

What do the distances 8000 m and 5 m have to do with a line tangent to Earth’s surface?

To determine

The significance of distances $\text{8000 m}$ and $\text{5 m}$ with a line tangent to Earth’s surface.

Answer to Problem 2A

  $\text{5 m}$ represents the vertical distance travelled for every $\text{8000 m}$ traveled along the tangent to Earth’s surface.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The line that is touching the circular surface and is perpendicular to the radius is known as the tangent to the surface.

The Earth is almost spherical in shape. As one travels on the surface, one moves in horizontal and vertical direction simultaneously. For every $\text{8000 m}$ of distance traveled along the tangent, the distance traveled along the vertical direction is $\text{5 m}$ .

Conclusion:

  $\text{5 m}$ represents the vertical distance travelled for every $\text{8000 m}$ traveled along the tangent to earth’s surface.